Hand Power Tool

ABSTRACT

An angle grinder including at least one ECO mode unit configured to provide an ECO mode and at least one functional device configured to make available a function of the angle grinder that is at least partially essential for an operating state.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to patent application no. DE 10 2013 202 945.4, filed on Feb. 22, 2013 in Germany, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Hand power tools, such as angle grinders, are known in the prior art.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is based on a hand power tool, in particular an angle grinder.

It is proposed that the hand power tool comprise at least one ECO mode unit, which is provided to provide an ECO mode. “Provided” is to be understood to mean, in particular, specially programmed, designed, configured and/or specially equipped. An “ECO mode” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, an operating mode of the hand power tool in which, at least at times, it is possible to achieve an efficiency of the hand power tool that, in particular, is at least 55%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 65%, and particularly preferably at least 70%, and/or that is provided, at least partially, for an energy-saving operating state of the hand power tool, and/or that is provided to optimize, at least at times, an energy consumption of the hand power tool, and/or in which an energy consumption of at least one consumer unit is reduced, at least partially. Particularly preferably, the ECO mode unit is provided, at least partially, to drive at least a part of the electrical consumer unit recuperatively, at least partially, and/or according to need. “According to need” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, that the consumer unit is to be driven in dependence on at least one parameter of the hand power tool, such as, in particular, in the case of attainment of a limit temperature, a limit torque and/or another limit parameter considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art.

The design according to the disclosure makes it possible to achieve a hand power tool that is advantageously economical, and that is consequently environmentally benign and preferably inexpensive to operate.

Moreover, it is proposed that the hand power tool comprise at least one recuperation unit, which is provided, at least partially, for recovery of at least a part of an energy. “Recovery of energy” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, storage and/or utilization of lost energy that is given off in an operating state, in particular by a drive unit, by an electronic unit and/or by another functional unit considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, and, in particular, feedback of the lost energy to at least one functional unit of the hand power tool. A “drive unit” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, a unit provided, at least partially, to drive an insert tool coupled to the hand power tool, in an operating state. The drive unit preferably comprises at least one electric motor. It is also conceivable, however, for the drive unit to be realized, at least partially, such that it can be driven pneumatically and/or in another manner considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. An “electronic unit” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, a unit provided, at least partially, to control, in particular, the drive unit of the hand power tool, by open-loop and/or closed-loop control, at least when the hand power tool is in an operating state. Preferably, the electronic unit comprises at least one motor controller of the drive unit. The electronic unit preferably has electronic components such as, in particular, at least one transistor, at least one capacitor, at least one processor, particularly preferably at least one field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and/or at least one bipolar transistor, in particular having an insulated gate electrode (IGBT). It is thereby possible to achieve an advantageously energy-saving and economic design of the hand power tool.

It is furthermore proposed that the hand power tool comprise at least one functional device, which is provided, at least partially, to make available a function of the hand power tool that is at least partially essential for an operating state. A “functional device” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, a device of the hand power tool that comprises at least one consumer unit that is provided, at least partially, to make available a function supporting and/or necessary for an operation of the hand power tool, and/or that requires a drive energy, at least partially, in at least one operating state. It is thereby possible to achieve a preferably high degree of operating comfort.

It is additionally proposed that the at least one recuperation unit be provided, at least partially, for driving the at least one functional device. For this purpose, the recuperation unit may convert, in particular, the thermal energy that the drive unit, the electronic unit and/or another functional unit of the hand power tool considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, at least partially, into a form of energy suitable for driving the at least one functional device, such as, in particular, into electrical energy and/or into mechanical energy. It is thereby possible, in an advantageously simple manner, to achieve operation of the at least one functional device that is preferably inexpensive, energy-saving and, consequently, environmentally benign.

Moreover, it is proposed that the hand power tool have a switchover unit, which is provided for switching over, at least, between a conventional mode and the ECO mode. A “conventional mode” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, an operating state that corresponds, at least partially, preferably at least mostly, and particularly preferably at least almost completely, to an operating and/or working mode of an already known hand power tool. In the ECO mode, the hand power tool, in an operating and/or working mode, has a maximum available energy consumption that, in particular, corresponds to less than 95%, preferably less than 90%, preferably less than 85%, and particularly preferably less than 80%, of a maximum available energy consumption of the hand power tool in an operating and/or working state in a conventional mode, with the same and/or at least a comparable type of operation. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the energy consumption of the hand power tool in an operating and/or working state in an ECO mode corresponds to less than 70% of the energy consumption of the hand power tool in an operating and/or working state in a conventional mode. In the conventional mode, the hand power tool can make available a greater power in an operating and/or working state than in an ECO mode. It is thereby possible to achieve an advantageously energy-saving and economic design of the hand power tool.

It is additionally proposed that the hand power tool have at least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit, which is provided, at least partially, for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the at least one functional device according to need. An “open-loop and/or closed-loop control” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, an operation that is at least partially independent of an operating state of the drive unit and/or of the electronic unit, and that is provided, at least partially, to actively influence, at least partially, an operation of at least the functional device, and/or to adapt and/or approximate the operation of the functional device, at least partially, to a predefined functional sequence, and/or to alter, in particular actively, in particular dynamically variable operating parameters of the cooling device, preferably according to an algorithm. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit may be realized such that, in particular, it is at least partially mechanical, particularly preferably, at least partially electronic. “According to need” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, that the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the functional device in dependence on at least one operating and/or working parameter of the hand power tool, such as, in particular, a temperature of at least one component of the hand power tool, a power consumption of the drive unit and/or an operating period of the drive unit and/or of the electronic unit, and/or in dependence on at least one other parameter of the hand power tool considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. Preferably, the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit additionally comprises a computing unit and, in particular, in addition to the computing unit, a memory storage unit having, stored therein, an open-loop and/or closed-loop control program provided to be executed by the computing unit. It is thereby possible, in an advantageously simple manner, to achieve operation of the at least one functional device that is preferably inexpensive, energy-saving and, consequently, environmentally benign.

It is furthermore proposed that the functional device comprise at least one cooling unit. A “cooling unit” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, a unit that is realized to cool further components of the hand power tool, in particular a drive unit and/or an electronic unit of the hand power tool and that, in particular, is in thermal contact, and preferably in direct mechanical contact, with these components. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the cooling unit is provided to reduce or prevent a heating of the components to be cooled, in particular of the drive unit and/or the electronic unit, and/or, particularly preferably, to reduce a temperature of the components to be cooled, in particular of the drive unit and/or of the electronic unit. “Cooling” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, an at least partial removal of thermal energy that is produced and/or given off, in particular when the hand power tool is in an operating state, in particular from at least one heat-critical component of the hand power tool. A “heat-critical” component in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, an element, a unit and/or a region of the hand power tool whose operation and/or function may be negatively affected by the thermal energy produced, in particular when the hand power tool is in an operating state, and/or may be destroyed, at least partially, by the thermal energy produced, in particular when the hand power tool is in an operating state. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, in particular, the drive unit and/or the electronic unit comprises/comprise the at least one heat-critical component of the hand power tool. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling unit may also be provided, at least partially, for cooling another unit considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, and/or another element and/or region considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, such as, in particular, a grip region, of the hand power tool. It is thereby possible to achieve advantageously good cooling of the hand power tool, and consequently a preferably high power density of the hand power tool.

In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the cooling unit is constituted, at least partially, by a fan unit. A “fan unit” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, a unit that is provided, at least partially, to generate an air stream in at least one operating state, in particular by electrical energy, and/or that preferably has a rotating fan propeller, specially shaped thereon, which draws in air on at least one side and expels air on at least one other side. It is thereby possible to achieve advantageously good cooling of the hand power tool.

It is additionally proposed that the drive unit comprise at least one EC motor. An “EC motor” in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, a brushless, electrically commutated motor. It is thereby possible to achieve a preferably high-power, advantageously compact and inexpensive design of the drive unit of the hand power tool.

The hand power tool according to the disclosure is not intended in this case to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the hand power tool according to the disclosure may have individual elements, components and units that differ in number from a number stated herein, in order to fulfill a principle of function described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages are given by the following description of the drawing. The drawing shows an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Persons skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them to create appropriate further combinations.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a hand power tool according to the disclosure, and

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the hand power tool according to the disclosure, in a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A hand power tool is represented in FIG. 1. The hand power tool is constituted by an angle grinder. Also conceivable, however, are other designs of the hand power tool considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, such as, for example, as a power drill, hammer drill, oscillating hand power tool or orbital sander. The hand power tool comprises a housing 24. The housing 24 is made of a plastic. The housing 24 constitutes a main handle 26, which is provided to be gripped by an operating hand of an operator. A power cable 30 is disposed at one end of the housing 24, as viewed in the direction of main extent 28 of the hand power tool. The power cable 30 is provided to supply electrical energy to a drive unit 22 of the hand power tool. The power cable 30 is provided to be connected to an electrical power network. For this purpose, the power cable 30 has a plug element, not represented. It is also conceivable, however, for the hand power tool to be constituted by a battery-powered hand power tool. The hand power tool additionally has a switching element 32, which is designed to be operated by an operator. The switching element 32 is provided to activate the drive unit 22. The switching element 32 is constituted by a slide switch.

The hand power tool additionally has a transmission housing 34. The transmission housing 34 is connected to the housing 24, at an end of the housing 24 opposite to the power cable 30. The transmission housing 34 is made of a metal. The transmission housing 34 is made of aluminum. The hand power tool comprises a tool receiver 36, not represented in greater detail, which is provided to receive and captively hold an insert tool 38. The insert tool 38 is constituted by an abrasive disk. The insert tool 38 is detachably connected to the tool receiver 36. The tool receiver 36 is disposed at an open end of the transmission housing 34, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to the direction of main extent 28 of the hand power tool. The tool receiver 36 projects out of the transmission housing 34. In addition, a protective hood 40 is coupled to the tool receiver 36. The protective hood 40 is detachably connected to the hand power tool 36.

The hand power tool additionally has an ancillary handle 42. The ancillary handle 42 is provided to be gripped by a further operating hand of the operator. The ancillary handle 42 is detachably coupled to the hand power tool. When the ancillary handle 42 is mounted on the hand power tool, a direction of main extent 44 of the ancillary handle 42 is perpendicular to the direction of main extent 28 of the hand power tool and parallel to a plane of main extent of the insert tool 38.

The hand power tool has the drive unit 22, an electronic unit 46 and a functional device 14 (FIG. 2). The housing 24 of the hand power tool surrounds the drive unit 22, the electronic unit 46 and functional device 14. The drive unit 22 comprises an electric motor. The drive unit 22 comprises an EC motor. The drive unit 22 has an output shaft 48, which is connected to a drive shaft 52 via a transmission unit 50. The transmission unit 50 has a bevel gear transmission, not represented. The drive shaft 52 is provided for driving an insert tool 38, not represented here, which is coupled to the tool receiver 36. The drive shaft 52 is coupled to the tool receiver 36. The drive shaft 52 is coupled to the tool receiver 36 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The drive shaft 52 extends perpendicularly in relation to the output shaft 48. The drive shaft 52 is perpendicular to the direction of main extent 28 of the hand power tool.

The drive unit 22 is operatively connected to the electronic unit 46. The drive unit 22 is electronically connected to the electronic unit 46. The electronic unit 46 is provided for open-loop control or closed-loop control of the drive unit 22. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic unit 46 may also be provided for open-loop control or closed-loop control of a further functional unit considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. The electronic unit 46 comprises field-effect transistors. The electronic unit 46 comprises metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET). Alternatively or additionally, the electronic unit 46 may also comprise other electronic components considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, such as, for example, a bipolar transistor having an insulated gate electrode (IGBT).

The hand power tool comprises an ECO mode unit 10, which is provided to provide an ECO mode. The ECO mode unit 10 is realized so as to constitute a single piece with the electronic unit 46. The electronic unit 46 is provided to additionally provide a conventional mode. The hand power tool has a switchover unit 16, which is provided for switching over between the conventional mode and the ECO mode. The switchover unit 16 comprises a switchover element 54 that can be actuated by an operator. The switchover element 54 is constituted by a slide switch. It is also conceivable, however, for the switchover unit 16 to be provided for automatic switchover, which is independent of the operator, between the conventional mode and the ECO mode.

The hand power tool comprises a recuperation unit 12, which is provided for recovery of a part of an energy supplied to the hand power tool in an operating state. The part of the energy is constituted by a lost energy that is given off by the drive unit 22, by the electronic unit 46 or by another functional unit considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. The lost energy is realized as thermal energy. The recuperation unit 12 comprises a converter element 56, which is provided to convert the lost energy into a different form of energy. The converted lost energy can be made available again to the hand power tool, as useful energy. The converter element 56 is constituted by a thermoelectric element, and converts the lost energy, present as thermal energy, into electrical energy. The recuperation unit 12 has a storage element 58, which is provided to store the converted lost energy. The storage element 58 is constituted by a capacitor. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the storage element 58 to comprise a storage battery or to be designed in another manner considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art.

The hand power tool additionally has a functional device 14, which is provided to make available a function of the hand power tool that is essential for an operating state of the hand power tool. The functional device 14 comprises a cooling unit 20. The cooling unit 20 comprises a fan element 60, which is provided to generate a cooling stream, in an operating state. The fan element 60 is constituted by a micro-fan. The cooling unit 20 is provided to cool the electronic unit 46, in an operating state. The fan element 60 is disposed on the electronic unit 46, such that, when the fan element 60 is in an operating state, the cooling stream flows past the electronic unit 46 and cools the electronic unit 46.

The hand power tool additionally comprises an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 18, which is provided for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the functional device 14 according to need. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 18 is realized as an open-loop control unit 62, and provided for open-loop control of the functional device 14 according to need. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 18 to be realized as a closed-loop control unit, and to be provided for closed-loop control of the functional device 14 according to need. The open-loop control unit 62 is provided for open-loop control of the cooling unit 20 of the functional device 14 according to need. The open-loop control unit 62 is provided for open-loop control of the cooling unit 20, according to need, in dependence on a parameter. The open-loop control unit 62 may additionally be provided for open-loop control of the cooling unit 20 in dependence on a plurality of parameters. The open-loop control unit 62 comprises a sensor unit 64, which is provided to sense the parameters.

When the hand power tool is in an operating state, the sensor unit 64 senses a temperature of the electronic unit 46. It is also conceivable, however, for the sensor unit 64 to be provided to sense an operating period of the hand power tool, a rotational speed and/or a power consumption of the drive unit 22, and/or another parameter of the hand power tool considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. The open-loop control unit 62 is provided for open-loop control of the functional device 14 in dependence on temperature, and puts the cooling unit 20 into an operating state, if necessary. It is also conceivable, however, for the open-loop control unit 62 to be provided for open-loop control of the cooling unit 20 of the functional device 14 in dependence on time, power and/or another parameter considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. The open-loop control unit 62 evaluates the parameter sensed by the sensor unit 64, compares the parameter sensed by the sensor unit 64 with predefined limit values stored in the open-loop control unit 62, and controls the cooling unit 20 according to a control algorithm stored in the open-loop control unit 62. If the sensed temperature of the electronic unit 46 attains or exceeds a maximum temperature, the cooling unit 20 of the functional device 14 is activated and the fan element 60 of the cooling unit 20 is driven, such that a cooling stream, generated by the fan element 60, cools the electronic unit 46.

The recuperation unit 12 is provided for driving the functional device 14. The fan element 60, in an operating state, is driven by means of the electrical energy converted by the converter element 56 of the recuperation unit 12. As a result, it is not necessary for additional energy to be supplied to the fan element 60 of the cooling unit 20 from the outside. The fan element 60 of the cooling unit 20 is driven by means of the lost energy of the electronic unit 46.

The functional device 14 of the hand power tool additionally has a lighting unit 66, which is provided to illuminate a working region of the hand power tool. The lighting unit 66 may additionally be provided to convey visual information to an operator. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 18 is provided to control the lighting unit 66 of the functional device 14 by open-loop and/or closed-loop control. The open-loop control unit 62 activates the lighting unit 66 in a working state, and deactivates the lighting unit 66 in an unused operating state and/or standby state. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An angle grinder, comprising: at least one ECO mode unit configured to provide an ECO mode.
 2. The angle grinder according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one recuperation unit configured to recover at least a part of an energy.
 3. The angle grinder according to claim 2, further comprising: at least one functional device configured to make available a function of the hand power tool that is at least partially essential for an operating state.
 4. The angle grinder according to claim 3, wherein the at least one recuperation unit is further configured to drive the at least one functional device.
 5. The angle grinder according to claim 1, further comprising: a switchover unit configured to switch over, at least, between a conventional mode and the ECO mode.
 6. The angle grinder according to claim 3, further comprising: at least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit configured for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the at least one functional device according to need.
 7. The angle grinder according to claim 3, wherein the functional device includes at least one cooling unit.
 8. The angle grinder according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive unit including at least one EC motor.
 9. An ECO mode unit of a hand power tool comprising: an ECO mode module configured to operate the hand power tool according to an ECO mode.
 10. A method for operating a hand power tool comprising: operating the hand power tool in an ECO mode using an ECO mode unit of an electronic unit; and operating the hand power tool in a conventional mode using the electronic unit. 